Exploring King Edward I's Famous 'Ring of Iron' Castle

Matt Lewis explores the fascinating history of Conwy Castle on the coast of North Wales.

Towards the end of the turbulent and blood-soaked 13th century, King Edward I of England sought to impose his rule on the rest of Britain. He set his sights first on Wales. Edward would build his infamous Ring of Iron, a series of castles designed to strangle Welsh resistance. Conwy was to be the royal jewel, with not only a castle, but a walled town stamping English control into the heart of Wales.

From architectural experts to stonemasons, Matt will discover the castle’s French connections and how to spot them today. Historian Nathen Amin tells the story of Conwy’s connection to the Tudors, a Welsh family that would change British history forever.

From Edward I’s hidden room in the chapel to the tale of a small boy who was the centre of a miracle, Conwy has wrapped hundreds of years of stories within its formidable walls.

Let us know in the comments where you think the next series should go next in the hunt for the 'Castles that Made Britain'!

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[Sue]

Conwy is my favourite castle. I've never forgotten coming over the bridge across the estuary and seeing it for the first time.

[Mrgladiatore]

I would love to take a castle tour throughout Europe. It's high up on the bucket list.

[andreagriffiths]

I miss Conwy. My family used to holiday at Llandudno all the time before we moved to Australia. Conwy castle is beautiful

[buddnd]

I love the fact that when talking about Edward 1st 13th century castle being the “new”, but incorporating the old. We are actually talking about a castle that was built nearly 1000 years ago, being the “new” one. 😮 👍
It’s brilliant that we in the UK still have such amazing historical structures.

[marnix]

part of me wishes we would restore these castles back to how they would've looked back in the day, the other part of me knows its best to keep it the way it is

[lolirot]

Several years ago, there was this dragon statue thing doing a tour of Welsh castles to celebrate all things Welsh. I remember thinking to myself how ironic that they're having events to celebrate Wales taking place in the castles built to oppress it.

Being born (and living in) north Wales is fantastic if you love medieval history, though. Spent most of my childhood summers playing footie in Rhuddlan castle's moat!

[idatipping]

Been twice, the quality of the images and information is worth watching ( visiting ) it again, very beautiful tourist destination

[samright]

Wow what a fantastic piece of History.. Magnificent Craftsmanship

[Bloomcycle]

I've been a stone masons assistant for 10 years and I can't believe how they built something like that 800+ years ago 🤔

[megan.]

Anyone interested in welsh history of this time needs to read Sharon Penman's Welsh Trilogy. Starts with Llewyllyn and King John's many issues in Here be Dragons and ends with Edward's final blow and Llewyllyn ap Gryffudd's death. Amazing epic and sad story. And pretty historically accurate unlike most historical fiction these days.

[rustinpeace]

McGoohan as longshanks in braveheart is cinema gold

[andrewwhelan]

The most extensive and expensive castle building program ever undertaken in Europe, which almost bankrupt the crown coffers. All to subdue a tiny nation of hill tribes. The fact that the native Cymry are still here at all is a miracle of resilience and stubborn resistance against all odds. A narrative sadly ignored by the mainstream historical accounts.

[jameshaxby]

Finally they show us some inside shots of a castle.

[chris.asi_romeo]

Love watching documentaries about castles 🏰

[investigatinglife]

I used to live within the Conwy walls and we used to sneak in the castle at night./.very spooky!

[simonsmith]

That's a stunning piece of ancient architecture.

[richardmathews]

Wrong Llywelyn. Llywelyn Fawr (the Great)died in 1240. It was his grandson Llywelyn ap Gruffydd who was recognised in the Treaty of Montgomery. Also the Welsh for court is llys not Clys. Deganwy Castle was demolished by Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in 1263 to prevent it being used by the English.

[robertthebruce-geniusofban]

A fascinating insight into the man that was Edward i and his quest for aggressive expansion!

[sallyannwheeler]

I go literally right past this on my regular shopping route. Croeso I Gymru.😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[alexarna]

The added sound effects when he mentions the Great Hall and the area where the blacksmith would have been reminds me of the episode of Cunk on Earth where Philomena explains what might have happened in the ancient castle that she was stood in.